They are not just religious buildings for Catholic Filipinos. These churches played their significant part in Philippine history. From their architectural designs to thousands of known and unknown stories about them, these churches are indeed symbols of our identity as God fearing and freedom loving nation.

Marami tayong nalulungkot at nasasayangan sa pagkawasak ng mga ito, but I know many of us are thinking that these sudden event may be a wakeup call for all Filipinos by God, by Mother Nature and by our Motherland to give extra attention in protecting our national treasures for our future generation. These important structures were built and maintained by our ancestors not just to create a living symbol of a strong institution but to share the legacy of our race to the world that every Filipino must be proud of.

I hate to say this but the October 15 major earthquake happened on the week of Demolisyon. I can’t say that it is a perfect timing but we are somehow fortunate here inside the Bulwagang Leandro V. Locsin to establish a realization out of hundreds of wisdom that we are going to hear today. A realization that here in city of Manila alone, we have so many old churches, ancestral houses, historical sites and heritage structures. All of them are priceless because they reflect our almost 400-year-old history and our colorful city culture. They also need our help.

Today, DEMOLISYON will help you involve with the advocacy of heritage conservation. We will explore the Old Manila and will help you shape ideas on how we can bring back the glory days of our beloved city. We will help you on how to make a difference out of simple social action and usage of modern technology. We will help you to understand a potential process of renovating an institution that is currently being ruined by corrupt practices and some greedy politicians.

On behalf of Katipunan ng Kabataang Maaasahan, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary-PLM Chapter and PLM College of Architecture and Urban Planning, I welcome you to DEMOLISYON, a one-day conference on youth involvement in protecting and maintaining historical zones and structures within the city of Manila. Enjoy, learn and be involved. Maraming salamat po.

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It is with great pride to introduce to you our guest of honor as he formally start DEMOLISYON. He serves as an inspiration for the Manilenyo youth. He might not be a perfect leader for everybody, but what he did for Manila for more than a decade was really exemplary and he left his greatest political legacy for the good of his beloved Manilans. Please welcome, former Manila’s Finest police officer, former director of the National Bureau of Investigation, former secretary of the Interior and Local Government, former Philippine senator, former mayor of the capital city and the 1st recipient of our organization’s Supremo ng Kabataang Manilenyo citation, Hon. Alfredo S. Lim.